HEALTHY CONCERTS

by Paul Chi

IN THE BEGINNING...

What will I be doing? (The original plan - written in 1993)

Organising an indefinite number of Healthy Concerts (HC) in the community. The expression 'Healthy' is used to reflect a broad range of positive qualities constituting the central theme of these events i.e. non-smoking, alternatives to alcohol, natural sound levels (no unnecessary electronic amplification), intimacy, informality, children friendly, 'small is beautiful' scale, local involvement and participation... particularly from local ARTISTS for HC and from willing HOSTS (providing homes) for HC.

From these initial roots in the community the development of Healthy Concerts is surely unpredictable. Thus diversity and variety are to be expected. Healthy Concerts will primarily be advertised through the distribution of programme literature to leaflet drop points, through a mailing list and, of course, by word of mouth.

The composition or content of the programmes are largely to be defined by HOSTS for HC who have been attracted through the literature to the idea of having a concert of their choice, in their home and free of charge (sounds too good to be true!). I visit each prospective host in person and fill in a detailed questionnaire with them. Specific artists may be put forward or suggested. Otherwise it is intended that their concert choice will be realised through a directory of ARTISTS for HC (amateur to professional).

The identity of venues and hosts will not be released with programme information but will only be given together with 'reservation guarantee cards' (R.G.C.) to audience applicants who have completed and returned a booking form. The ticket money due will be collected by HC stewards at the time and place of the concerts.

Refreshment arrangements will be variable; audience supplied (self catering), hosts own menu or HC supplied (outside caterers).

TRIAL PERIOD

The first Healthy Concert occurred on the 8th of April 1994. Healthy Concert programmes have represented an experimental assortment of musical events of all kinds, shapes and sizes within the general description of what a Healthy Concert is. So at one time it can be a handful of people in a small room enjoying the ultimate in intimate recitals or informal musical exchanges. At another time it's the appreciation of a better known artist, a larger audience and space to accommodate them. The tone ranges from the light and whimsical to the hushed and serious; popular to classical music.

This haphazard selection in terms of scale, standard and style, is a very attractive concept in it's own right. However, it presents certain difficulties in administration and marketing. I think the quality of response to the Healthy Concerts idea and the events themselves have established beyond a shadow of doubt that the venture can attract widespread interest (indeed international), but how can Healthy Concerts be promoted more effectively?

In a real sense, the first years of Healthy Concerts have been something of a viability study. The fees and expenses incurred by the project have been recovered from ticket receipts. However, the management and promotion work has thus far been undertaken on a voluntary basis without income. This has become an unacceptable situation, and is especially so in view of the major developments that I am about to propose and which therefore take this fact into consideration.


HEALTHY CONCERTS 1997

The experience of music WITHIN THE HOME has represented, on the one hand, a renaissance and an awakening; there is a wonderful tradition behind the classical chamber music recitals and informal musical gatherings we have enjoyed. In contrast, for example, our singer-songwriter show-cases have set an important precedent in contemporary culture and our programmes always incorporate new music and support original performing artists, many of who have the potential for international acclaim. Therefore Healthy Concerts 1997 will be proud to present:

GIGS IN DIGS

A new lease of life in the acoustic music field. It could be the best news that singer-songwriters and advocates of new music ever heard; pop concerts in living-rooms offering a truly alternative night out or in! for all involved. Gigs in Digs will feature the finest emergent talents from far and wide. I will again be approaching the ever popular Pooka, Yuri Fomichev, Barnaby O'Rorke, Beverley Martyn...and, of course, be revealing new names on the scene. Performances will take place on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening throughout the year.

GARDEN CONCERTS

Enthusiasm for Healthy Concerts has peeked whenever gardens, mystery tours, walks and idyllic country settings have been featured in programmes. Therefore, I am proposing a garden concert every weekend between May and September 1997. The majority of concerts should involve and support local musicians and reflect local culture. I envisage that about one in four concerts will be of a world music character. Classical music may be represented as frequently as this and the rest should have a light and popular musical appeal. Healthy Concerts have already attracted more than ten willing hosts for these events in lovely locations within 15 miles of Brighton.

SALON MUSIC SERIES

Healthy Concerts has identified an un-tapped resource of lounges with interesting and often excellent pianos. Their owners would like to see them put to greater use in the name of Live music and community spirit This series will help to develop new audiences for a range of music incorporating light classical, new works, pieces from musicals and unusual music collections with historical and regional significance and appeal. Considerable benefits to the community are in prospect. The project will encourage and facilitate short performances from musicians from all walks of life; from children with musical gifts to mature retired players and singers. The Salon Music Series is due to begin in the autumn of 1997.

OHM! (open house music)

All are welcome; songsters, musicians, poets, beginners and experienced performers...audience too! The public will be informed about thematic singarounds, sometimes of a seasonal or festive nature - such as the Valentine's day love song singaround '94. The majority of creative musicians face isolation and little prospect of realising their work within the communities in which they live. This is unacceptable and collectively impoverishing. The celebration of individual creative identities, irrespective of musical category, is central to the spirit of Healthy Concerts. OHM! provides a unique opportunity for us all to be heard, acknowledged and encouraged. This is the foundation of Healthy Concerts. March 1st 1997 was the anniversary of OHM!

THE CREATION AND MANAGEMENT OF LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC PROGRAMMES - THE BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE OF PAUL CHI

I am a specialist in the promotion of intimate acoustic performances, having arranged and managed hundreds of such events in Manchester and Brighton since April '88. Originality, diversity and the establishment of optimum conditions for the performance and appreciation of LIVE music have been of the highest priority in my work.

DATE PROJECT VENUE 1988-92 THE NEW TROUBADOURS FOLLIES, MANCHESTER

The New Troubadours - An opportunity for each of us to be heard, acknowledged, and encouraged. We have drawn to the club, Live music lovers with an engagement which is beyond leisure and entertainment, and reflects a genuine search for meaningful experience and a movement for growth. Each week a number of artists are spotlighted or featured and receive expenses for playing (variable). However, creative contributions from the 'floor' establish the quality of these evenings and the club admission charge is waved for audience participants. Such members are usually invited to share two pieces of original work in one set; poetry or song.

1990 MAM - Manch. Acoustic Mondays BAYSWATER WINEBAR

MANCHESTER

1990 SOLOIST IN THE WOMB CHINESE ARTS CENTRE MANCHESTER

1994... HEALTHY CONCERTS Various home based locations

BRIGHTON & HOVE

1995 THE SINGER-SONGWRITER NIGHTINGALE THEATRE

BRIGHTON

It has not been possible for some time to promote Healthy Concerts to the general public due to the prohibitive costs involved. However, an ambitious Healthy Concerts business plan, written in 1996, can be put into practice this year (1997) if the required finances are made available through grants or sponsorship etc. I feel optimistic. Indeed, confident enough to urge creative musicians and prospective hosts (providing homes for the concerts) to make contact with me.


WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF HEALTHY CONCERTS?

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL

Popular entertainment tends to be technology centred and impresses with vastness. With this can come the hazardous excitement of large crowds, long distances, loud noises, bright lights and powerful intoxicants.

Consider instead the joyful prospect of small groups of people gathering locally (next door or round the corner) in modest sized venues (a neighbours living-room) for the simple and natural experience of listening to the sounds of acoustic musical instruments, of which the human voice will often be prominent, and enjoying the rich communication and companionship that this common purpose invites. This pastime is not as common as you might think or wish it to be and in most households these days LIVE music comes in a poor second place to television, assorted HI FI and computer games. In public places too, technology is predominant and the naked human voice can seem very frail and thin indeed in its company.

MUSIC & HEALING

I think many people have made the association between music and healing and I would like to suggest that it is appropriate to think of musical situations as opportunities for relieving stresses of all kinds... not adding to them! Therefore one takes in to consideration the size of the gathering, noise level, air quality, lighting and the environment in general, in order to establish conditions conducive to relaxation, communication, participation and mutual support, etc.

CLEANING UP OUR ACT The quality of living of every person is undermined by the extensive and pervasive presence of alcohol and nicotine and the lack of popular cultural alternatives to the 'pub' and the 'party'. People, especially the young, lack practical models and options for healthy living. A stereotypical teenage lifestyle is not 'healthy' and official figures for young smokers support this viewpoint. Healthy Concerts represents a real alternative for everyone.

Pooka
Paul Chi
Healthy Concerts Listings
What Are Healthy Concerts?


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